CLEVELAND, Ohio — Items on the Indians' to-do list Tuesday included a series of lofty aspirations: finally have a strong showing by a starting pitcher; win a series at home; and, perhaps most importantly, move into first place in the American League Central Division.

The Tribe checked everything off against the Cincinnati Reds and added another accomplishment just for good measure as Asdrubal Cabrera slammed a two-run, walk-off homer in the 10th inning to give Cleveland the 3-2 victory in front of 17,213 at Progressive Field.

Coupled with the Chicago White Sox's loss to the Chicago Cubs, the Tribe (35-32) moved back into the first place for the first time since May 28. Not that it matters much on June 20.

"We're not even halfway through (the season)," manager Manny Acta said. "We've got a long ways to go. But we'd rather be where we are."

The Indians needed every check mark on the list to slide past the Reds in the pitcher's duel, including Cabrera's 387-foot home run, his seventh of the year. The Tribe had just fallen behind, 2-1, in the top of the 10th when reliever Nick Hagadone tossed two wild pitches that led to Cincinnati center fielder Chris Heisey sliding head-first into home for the score.

Right fielder Shin-Soo Choo singled -- his third hit in four at-bats Tuesday -- to get on base. And Cabrera patiently waited for his pitch from Reds closer Aroldis Chapman before launching a 3-1 pitch into right-center field.

The extra-innings victory was the Indians' third in seven tries this season.

Setting it all up for the Tribe was right-hander Josh Tomlin, whose last outing a week ago in Cincinnati resulted in 10 hits and six runs in four innings.

In his second try a week later, he had a better handle on the Reds -- after a shaky start, at least. Tomlin surrendered a lead-off double to shortstop Zack Cozart, followed by an RBI single from centerfielder Chris Heisey.

From there, he pitched smartly and effectively, scattering four more hits over 6 2/3 innings. It was the fewest hits allowed by the right-hander since a four-hit, five-inning victory over Kansas City on May 28.

Meanwhile, Reds right-hander Mike Leake struck out four and allowed six hits in seven innings to help Cincinnati stay even.

Only when Tomlin reach the seventh inning did he begin to labor, giving up a single and walking two before he exited the game.

And, so, reliever Esmil Rogers entered the seventh with the bases loaded, two out. Rogers battled catcher Devin Mesoraco with a fastball that reached 97 mph, before sneaking an 84 mph slider past him for the strikeout that closed the inning -- and preserved the 1-1 tie.

Stalwart fielding throughout helped the Indians stay close, and give them a chance in the 10th.

In the second inning, center fielder Michael Brantley leapt high at the wall to snag an extra-bases hit from designated hitter Ryan Ludwick.

The eighth brought more heroics from the Indians, this time on the field. First baseman Casey Kotchman maneuvered around the right field wall and fans' outstretched arms to snag a foul pop. Second baseman Jason Kipnis scurried to shallow right field to snag a grounder by Reds' Joey Votto, and spun to throw out the first baseman just in time. The easiest fielding opportunity of the inning came on a grounder to third, which Jack Hannahan bobbled while the Reds' Zack Cozart screened him as he ran from second to third. But right fielder Jay Bruce knocked a fly to right to end the inning.

Hannahan found redemption in the 10th when he focused on cleanly fielding a broken-bat grounder from Heisey.

"He fielded that ball like the bat wasn't even coming right at him," Acta said.

All of it meant the Tribe not only are guaranteed a series victory at home for the first time since sweeping Detroit at the end of May, but they're back in first. Not that it matters much right now.

OK, maybe it matters a little.

"It's fun," Acta admitted. "Every day, even if it's early, we look at the standings. You can't get away from it."

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